BMW of North America, LLC. is recalling 720,796 vehicles because of an electrical system safety defect that can cause fires. Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH made the defective water pump that leaks.
“The recalled vehicles have been manufactured with a water pump that, due to insufficient sealing, could, over time, be susceptible to fluid ingress at the electrical plug connector, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall Chronology
March 19, 2024: BMW AG was contacted by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MoLIT) regarding an incident involving a thermal [fire in recall speak] event. An engineering investigation was initiated. A preliminary review of field information noted one incident that had occurred in January in the US market.
In April 2024: a worldwide parts collection program was initiated to collect and analyze electric water pumps from field vehicles that had, and had not, experienced a thermal event. One additional field incident in the US market became known.
April and May 2024: various activities were performed including laboratory analyses of field parts which had experienced a thermal event, fault tree analyses, and an in-depth review of field data. Tests were performed in an attempt to reproduce the thermal event and identify a root cause. The worldwide parts collection program was updated to include not only the water pump, but also the associated electric plug connector. Lab tests continued to be performed.
July 2024: discussions were held with the suppliers of the water pump and the plug connector to analyze possible root causes. Another field incident in the US became known. Additional laboratory analysis suggested that, in certain rare vehicle operation conditions, the sealing of the electric plug connector could be compromised through blow-by fluid dripping from the intake air hose. One additional incident in the US market became known, was analyzed, and confirmed a hypothesis involving the blow-by fluid. Vehicle assembly information and supplier production records were reviewed to determine the number and production dates of potentially affected vehicles.
On 6 August 2024: BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. As of August 2024, BMW is aware of approximately 18 customer complaints, concerns, and/or field instances, in the US market, that relate, or may relate, to the issue identified in this report. BMW has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect.
Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 4 October 2024.
Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 24V608.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
BMW Fire Recalls on More Than 720,000 Vehicles
BMW of North America, LLC. is recalling 720,796 vehicles because of an electrical system safety defect that can cause fires. Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH made the defective water pump that leaks.
“The recalled vehicles have been manufactured with a water pump that, due to insufficient sealing, could, over time, be susceptible to fluid ingress at the electrical plug connector, according to documents made public today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall Chronology
March 19, 2024: BMW AG was contacted by the Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MoLIT) regarding an incident involving a thermal [fire in recall speak] event. An engineering investigation was initiated. A preliminary review of field information noted one incident that had occurred in January in the US market.
In April 2024: a worldwide parts collection program was initiated to collect and analyze electric water pumps from field vehicles that had, and had not, experienced a thermal event. One additional field incident in the US market became known.
April and May 2024: various activities were performed including laboratory analyses of field parts which had experienced a thermal event, fault tree analyses, and an in-depth review of field data. Tests were performed in an attempt to reproduce the thermal event and identify a root cause. The worldwide parts collection program was updated to include not only the water pump, but also the associated electric plug connector. Lab tests continued to be performed.
July 2024: discussions were held with the suppliers of the water pump and the plug connector to analyze possible root causes. Another field incident in the US became known. Additional laboratory analysis suggested that, in certain rare vehicle operation conditions, the sealing of the electric plug connector could be compromised through blow-by fluid dripping from the intake air hose. One additional incident in the US market became known, was analyzed, and confirmed a hypothesis involving the blow-by fluid. Vehicle assembly information and supplier production records were reviewed to determine the number and production dates of potentially affected vehicles.
On 6 August 2024: BMW decided to conduct a voluntary safety recall. As of August 2024, BMW is aware of approximately 18 customer complaints, concerns, and/or field instances, in the US market, that relate, or may relate, to the issue identified in this report. BMW has not received any reports, nor is BMW otherwise aware, of any accidents or injuries related to this safety defect.
Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge as required by U.S. safety regulations. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed 4 October 2024.
Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov about NHTSA 24V608.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.